If you tuned into the NBC pregame show on Saturday, you would have seen a Matt Millen interview. Yes, the Matt Millen who steered the Detroit Lions to a 31-84 record — 31-97 if you count the losses after his dismissal. Dan Patrick asked him a few questions and he took the blame for the team’s performance. He didn’t go into much detail or offer any specifics, so it was kind of a waste of time. He simply looked like a guy who was trying to rehab his image. He knows that a job as an executive in the NFL is probably out of the question, but he could return as an analyst, which is kind of a joke in itself, considering that a big part of a GM’s job is analyzing players and coaches. Really, why should we listen to anything this guy has to say?
But when he broke his public silence Saturday during the network’s “Football Night in America” show, he told NBC’s Dan Patrick that it wasn’t as easy as merely blaming himself.
“There’s a lot more to it than that,” Millen told Patrick. “I could give you excuses. I could give you reasons. To me, that’s just an excuse after the fact. You take the hit and move on.”
Millen blew it again. Detroit deserves a detailed explanation for what went so horribly wrong from those who perpetrated the deed. Simply saying that you’re responsible for the disaster doesn’t make you accountable. That requires serving a penance. If Millen truly seeks atonement, he must delve deeper into those additional “reasons” of which he spoke.
Was there a lack of uniformity between Millen and his front office, Millen and his coaches? Was there an even greater lack of organizational confidence within the locker room than what already has been documented? Did ownership interfere even more than what already has been reported?
I’m really tired of the Lions’ “There’s nothing more to say” defense regarding past failures.
I have an idea — Millen should write a book. Imagine this: an insider’s account of the worst franchise in the NFL. He could go into detail about every bad (and good) decision that he made, along with the conflicts he had with players, coaches and ownership. I, for one, find the whole GM game fascinating and would love to read a tell-all about the Lions. It would be a moneymaker for Millen (not that he really needs the dough) and would be cathartic for Lions fans everywhere.
But to promote a book, he’d eventually have to appear in front of (real) members of the media. Patrick probably had his hands tied (and for that, NBC is to blame), but Sharp is right — Millen went into zero detail about what went wrong.
One of Sharp’s lines really stands out…
Simply saying that you’re responsible for the disaster doesn’t make you accountable.
Truer words have never been spoken. The fans in Detroit deserve an explanation — a real one.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said today he passed his final post-concussion test and will play on Sunday when the Steelers open the playoffs against the San Diego Chargers at Heinz Field.
Roethlisberger left the Steelers final regular-season game on Dec. 28 with a concussion just before halftime. Roethlisberger is taking the field this afternoon to practice for the first time since his injury.
He said he’s taken several tests over the past week, that he feels fine and will take no further precautions.
The Steelers’ offensive line needs to protect this guy or else there’s a great chance we’ll be seeing Byron Leftwich sometime this postseason. For as good as the Pittsburgh defense is, the Steelers’ offensive line has issues and Big Ben has always had problems hanging onto the ball too long. Regardless, this is great news for the Steelers and this is a great example of how big having that off week is in the playoffs.
Our friends at The Love of Sports came up with five ways to fix the NFL Pro Bowl. And God love ’em, they found a way to incorporate Tecmo Bowl and cheerleaders into the mix.
2. The Tecmo Bowl Solution Take an updated version of the world’s best video football game, simulate a season and let it pick the Pro Bowl roster. This is actually good for a variety of reasons. On one hand, some people (myself included) would love to play out the season rather than letting it simulate. In addition to that, it’s Tecmo Bowl and, really, who doesn’t love Tecmo Bowl?
1. Cheerleaders You know how they have the Lingerie Bowl? Well, why not have the Cheerleader Bowl? After all, it’s not like the players are going out there and playing a real game, so rather than wasting their time, why not vote for the league’s hottest cheerleaders and let them play a game of flag? Heck, they could have a cheerleading competition, a la Bring It On, and it’d be way more entertaining than the current Pro Bowl.
Ah, I can remember the Christmas when I unwrapped Tecmo Bowl like it was yesterday. Still the greatest football video game of all time.
According to The National Football Post, Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree will enter April’s NFL draft.
Next Level Scouting, Inc. is reporting that Texas Tech red-shirt sophomore wide receiver Michael Crabtree has informed several staff members of his intention to enter this year’s draft following the team’s Cotton Bowl loss to Mississippi. According to those close to the situation he should make his intentions known at an on-campus press conference sometime this week, but has already started to interview agents and put together a support staff for the purpose of training for the NFL Combine and creating PR and marketing opportunities for him.
Meanwhile, a second Texas Tech underclassman, junior offensive guard Brandon Carter, is waiting to see what type of grade he receives back from the NFL Advisory Committee before making a final decision, but is leaning towards entering the draft as long as they project him as a mid-round type selection.
Not a total shock, but it would have been fun to watch Crabtree play in Tech’s offense for another season. He’s easily the most talented receiver in college football and will surely be a top 5 pick if he does enter the draft.
